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Kasper Zülow

Weick, K. E., & Quinn, R. E. (1999). Organizational change and development. Annual Review of Psychology, 50(1), 361-386.

The article by Karl E. Weick and Robert E. Quinn, entitled “Organizational Change and Development,” provides an in-depth review of the existing research and theories on organizational change and development. The authors begin by discussing the importance of organizational change in today’s fast-paced business environment, where organizations must continuously adapt to remain competitive. They also highlight the challenges associated with organizational change, including resistance from employees and uncertainty about the outcomes of the change process.

The authors then review several major theoretical perspectives on organizational change and development, including Lewin’s three-step model, action research, and systems theory. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and suggest that a combination of these perspectives is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of organizational change.

Weick and Quinn also discuss the role of leadership in facilitating organizational change and development. They argue that effective leadership is essential for successful change efforts and that leaders must possess a range of skills, including the ability to communicate a clear vision, build trust, and manage conflict.

The authors then review several strategies for implementing organizational change, including planned change, emergent change, and transformational change. They argue that each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses and that the choice of strategy depends on the nature of the organization and the goals of the change effort.

Weick and Quinn also discuss the importance of organizational culture in the change process. They argue that culture plays a critical role in shaping employee behavior and attitudes and that it must be addressed in any change effort. They also discuss the challenges associated with changing organizational culture and suggest several strategies for doing so.

Finally, the authors discuss the role of evaluation and feedback in the change process. They argue that ongoing evaluation is essential for monitoring progress and making adjustments as necessary. They also highlight the importance of providing feedback to employees, both to reinforce positive behaviors and to address areas that need improvement.

Overall, Weick and Quinn provide a comprehensive review of the existing research and theories on organizational change and development. Their discussion highlights the challenges associated with organizational change and the importance of effective leadership, culture change, and ongoing evaluation in the change process. This article provides a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners interested in understanding the complexities of organizational change and development.

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Kasper Riis Zülow
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